Page 38 of His Unforgettable Bride
“There you be,” a voice called from behind Juliet.
Lost in her thoughts, she jumped and twirled around, dropping the sisters’ mail onto the street alongside the park.
There, a few feet away, stood a soggy Ruby. A new bluish-black bruise had swollen her eye, reducing the opening to a slit. “Surprised to see me?”
“What are you doing here?” Juliet’s heart thundered as she gathered the envelopes, wiping the grime on her skirt. “And how did you find me?”
“I have a way of getting information.”
Blame it all. Who had given away her whereabouts to Ruby? Indeed, not Mrs. Morseby. Had Ruby paid for the information, or had someone assumed she and her foe were friends?
Juliet scoffed and stood. The pesky woman was anything but a friend.
A young woman approached, pushing a rattly pram, the child wailing as the drizzle soaked them both. Juliet turned her shoulder, not wanting anyone to catch her conversing with Ruby. Everly was supposed to be Juliet’s fresh, clean start, away from all the problems chasing her from Victoria.
Neither of them spoke until the lady and child moved beyond earshot.
“I just got to town. Seems nice enough.” Ruby glanced around as if truly admiring the lovely homes that bordered the park. “Who was that old man you was yapping with?”
Chitchat? Did Ruby seek chitchat? Juliet fastened her hand to her hip. “Nobody of your concern. Now tell me why you’re here.”
“To fetch what’s mine. I need the Queen’s brooch, all the jewels, actually.” They both knew the valuables belonged to the Firths.
But Ruby watched her expectantly, wiping her nose with her cape.
Juliet wouldn’t have recognized Ruby’s lack of manners not long ago. But life had changed. She’d changed and didn’t want Ruby causing problems and jeopardizing her new position with the sisters.
Juliet rubbed the tight muscles in her neck. “For the last time, I didn’t take what you buried, and I don’t know what happened to the jewels.”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “You sure found me in the yard quickly that night we got fired. That can only mean one thing. You followed me the other times, too.”
Juliet could claim her innocence twenty times a day for a year, and Ruby probably would continue to ignore her. But she had to try again. “I don’t have the jewels, and I promise I have never touched them. Why don’t you please let this go?”
“Can’t. My life just might depend on me getting them back.” Ruby glanced around warily as if she expected someone to jump out and blacken her other eye. “Either you help me find who took the jewels or give me the money they’re worth, I’m thinking.”
“What?” Juliet could only gape at the young woman’s nerve to make such a demand. “You can’t be serious. We both know servants don’t make big sums, especially whatever that brooch was worth.”
“Somebody has to pay for it. Why not you? Get the money from your new fancy employers.”
Juliet tightened her grip on the mail. Did Ruby know where she lived and who she worked for? Was she suggesting Juliet steal from the sisters? Never. She’d walk away before harming Livy and Tabitha.
Hardening her face, Juliet dropped her hand onto Ruby’s shoulder. “You need to leave and not return. Or I’ll tell the local constable you swiped Mrs. Firth’s jewels.”
Ruby wiggled out of Juliet’s clutch. “Mrs. Quinborow didn’t believe you. The constable won’t none neither. I’m mighty convincing when I put my mind to it.”
Ruby spoke the truth for a change. Hadn’t she wept genuine tears in front of the housekeeper? Of course, she’d stoop to the same shenanigans in front of Everly’s constable. But who would the lawman believe? “For the last time, I didn’t take what you seek.”
“Prove it.”
She couldn’t prove anything and wouldn’t let Ruby come to the sisters’ house and rummage through her belongings. That would raise questions Juliet didn’t want to answer. And besides, when Ruby didn’t find anything among her possessions, she’d assume Juliet had hidden the jewels.
Ruby crossed her arms. “Since I’m nice, I’ll give you some time to raise the money.”
“That’s not gonna happen, Ruby?—”
“I’ve spoken my piece, so I’m catching the next boat out of here. If you don’t give me back the jewels or come up with the money, you’ll force me to take revenge one way or another.” Looking mighty satisfied with a smug grin, Ruby turned on her heel and began to stroll down the hill.
The rain continued to drench her, yet Juliet remained rooted, waiting until Ruby disappeared from view. Her shoulders slumped. What was she to do? She couldn’t allow Ruby to return and possibly steal from the sisters and disturb Juliet’s new life.
